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Monday, April 30, 2012

My sincerest apologies for not posting on Saturday for Y. I thought I had scheduled something but realized too late that I had not. And I was away for the weekend...a fabulous B&B for a writing retreat with 7 other Western NY Romance Writers!! And there was no wi-fi...so that meant I was not blogging from there.

Anyway, my Y post is YA!

Here are the last three YA books I read and completely ADORED!!!!

I have always loved young adult literature, far after I was the targeted age for reading it. But these days, it doesn't matter. I think just as many adults read YA as teens. It just goes to show that these stories of youth are just as captivating as adult stories. I personally enjoy coming of age stories. YA brings me back to a time when I was clueless and those first flutters of love.....ah....so fun!

And for Z.......well, that's a hard one. All I could think of was the comical suggestion my friend Jessica Topper made...Zoolander. But I did come up with a better one!

ZOMBIELAND!!!

Zombieland holds a special place in my heart, though I am so not into gore at all! But this was comical gore.

In April 2010, I won concert tickets for a NKOTB show in Hollywood! It was a radio contest and it seriously was one of the most exciting things to ever happen to me. The record company had arranged for us to arrive at 4 ish on show day and leave the next morning at 11 am. Not much time for flying across the entire country. So, since it was Southwest, who does not charge a fee for flight changes, we changed our outgoing flight to the day before and we arrived at LAX by noon. That gave us about a day and half for sightseeing. We squished a lot into that time, including the filming of a movie. We had no clue what we were watching on Hollywood Boulevard that morning at 9 am, but we were intrigued. We had seen Woody Harelson riding on his Seqway earlier and then during the filming too. We heard someone say the name of the movie was Zombieland. We said "Cool" and made plans to see it when it came out. So yeah, the scene when they pull up to Grauman's Chinese Theater in the yellow Hummer to grab a map of the stars' homes and shoot a zombie who runs over....we were so there!

So that's it! The Challenge is over!!!! Hope you all enjoyed my posts!! I have so enjoyed reading yours!!!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Today I have the first 6 of my work in progress. Loving this story so far...and my critique partners adored the first chapter so far! Hope you like it too!

Mia Montanari had never been on an actual blind date before,
and knowing her first would end in pre-planned sex didn’t ease her anxiety at
all. What the hell did I get myself into?
And this wasn’t even sex for pleasure. It was a job requirement and she’d yet
to decide if it was a perk or not.

The bar was
kind of dead for a Friday night. She’d chosen this particular place for its
proximity to her apartment.

Make sure you stop by all the other participants' blogs for more Sunday snippets! Go here for the list!

Friday, April 27, 2012

But since I am doing a theme- Music, Movies, and Books, I actually have one.

X is for X-tina.

I prefer not to focus on her lack of fashion sense or her divorce or weight gain or any of the there things in the tabloids. We'll focus on what matters: The Voice.

And not the show she judges...her actual voice.

I remember when Christina Aguilara came out. This cute little blonde singing about a genie in a bottle. You gotta rub her the right way! The song was fun and poppy and you could dance to it. Everything I love. But she could really belt it out too. I remember the back and forth back then between her and Brittany, who I was never really a fan of. Who would win the Grammy for Best New Artist??? I was so glad when they'd announced Christina's name. She deserved it..and every one since. I believe Brittany is still Grammy-less.

But anyway, Christina had never had a squeaky image, but when her second album came out, that girl was Dirty! But everyone loved her, including me. And she had the vocals to prove she was more than just a semi-clothed attention seeker. And she still is.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Okay...here I go back into my early 90's nostalgia. I can't help it. Those were my high school years. And in my high school, everyone listened to hip hop and rap. And two of the hottest songs:

Tag Teams's Whoom there It Is!

And 95 South's Whoot There It Is!

Two very similarly named songs that were hot in 1993. I had to do a little research to find out they were released only about 6 weeks apart. These were staples at school dances and I believe both were played at my junior prom in 1994.

Not sure I can pick a fav. Whoomp was definitely the more popular one and was played more on the radio. But Whoot is fun too!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

And one my daughter liked a lot, too. And probably most children in the world: The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

This is such an adorable book! The artwork is amazing, just as all of Eric Carle's work. But the story is adorable too. My little one just turned 4 and he pretty much knows it by heart. He loves to "read" it to me. :)

We recently went to a butterfly conservatory and they have a little "nursery" window where guests can see all the cocoons hanging in various stages of metamorphosis. I loved that my son knew exactly why the cocoons were hanging like that and what was going on...all thanks to The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

First of all....I'm interrupting the A-Z Challenge for my guest post on Cassandra Carr's blog!!!! I've "interviewed" my main character from the Karma Collection, Lexi Marshall! You must go check it out, for a mini dose of Lexi-ness! Preview: You get to find out the sex of Lexi's baby on the way...and what happened after Karma Kameleon ended!!

And...back to regularly scheduled programming......Us is for Uglies!!

As in, The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld!

I can't even remember how I heard about these books, but they sounded interesting so I snagged them from my local library. OMG! Sucked me right in!!!

These books were my first jump into science fiction dystopian type books. I had never read anything like that before. And I really liked it. A whole alternative world...a glimpse into what the world could be like years form now. Parts were sad...they way civilization as we know it has completely crumbled. I sure hope these kinds of books are just fiction and not a fortune teller. There was a little bit of romance to satisfy my heart, so that helped too :)

Monday, April 23, 2012

First of all, I am over at Sandra Sookoo's blog today for Museful Monday, talking about the waiting game in publishing and comparing it to Monopoly! Check it out!!!

And for this 20th day of the A-Z Challenge, the letter T, I have decided to talk about Titanic.

Just a week or so ago was the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. April 15th was a Sunday, and since the A-Z Challenge does not do Sundays, I figured I'd just wait until T day to post about this :)

I have always been intrigued by the sunken ship. But it wasn't until the Titanic movie that I really got a sense of what it might have been like for those aboard. The fear they must have felt. I can't even imagine being on the ship those last moments, or even being one of the lucky ones in a lifeboat who sat back and watched in horror. If there's one thing Titanic had taught the world, it was not to be cocky...and horrible things can happen even to things/people that are thought to be invincible.

And yeah, the love story between Jack and Rose was fictional, but still. It took my breath away to think that there may have been other romances like theirs aboard the ship....lost loves.

And that scene in the cargo in the car...the hand on the fogged up window. OMG!!!! So hot!!!!

I read recently that there were many teens in high school, who seeing Titanic for the first time with it's rerelease in theaters now, hadn't even known Titanic was a true story...that a ship had actually sank like that. Sad.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

I really enjoyed this book! And that's saying a lot since I am a girly girl. I do not enjoy sports what so ever (well...I play golf, but that doesn't really count! LOL!)

Anyway, the main character, Jordan, is a true tomboy. It was interesting to read about and get in the head of someone who is so opposite me. And it completely sucked me in. It kept me completely glued and I read it pretty fast (for me...considering my reading time is kinda limited lately.) But there were at least a few nights I did not want to set it down and go to bed. Stayed up late last night to finish it. Just had to see how it ended.

I liked the boy BFF and the fact that she does eventually make some good friendships with girls. LOVED the relationship with the new boy and his story was really compelling. I like that they stayed friends at the end..even after breaking up.

One thing keeping me from giving this book 5 stars is the fact that I didn't cry once. Silly reason, I know, but for me, a perfect book makes me laugh and cry. :) And it is a bit far-fetched at times. i'm not sure any girl will go from first kiss to sex within that short of time. And I have to point out, as my hubby did to me, it is pretty far-fetched for a Division 1 college team to play a female.

Great job on the author's part...will definitely read more of her work :)

This is my third read for the Chick Lit Challenge! Wanna know more...click here!

These seriously are my favorite series of books ever written. The bonds of friendship are so strong, even though they are tested over and over again. These girls became friends to me too as I read each summer of their lives, and then finally the last book, set ten years after the 4th book. And even then, when the girls had drifted as far apart as friends can be, they managed to find their way back to each other.

I'm a sucker for a coming-of-age story and these books fit the bill...even the last which takes place when they are in their late 20's. I truly believe people can grow and learn and change themselves even far into adulthood.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Moving on. Disney did good when they made the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. I have always been a HUGE fan of the attraction, going back to 1989 and my first trip to Disneyland. It took me more than a decade after that to make it to Walt Disney World in Florida, but Pirates of the Caribbean was top on my list of attractions to do. Loved every second!

So when the movie came out, I wondered how they would make it into a story. And it didn't disappoint. So many parts in the movies are inspired by the attraction. And then the movie went and inspired the attraction, with the addition of animatronic Captain Jack Sparrow (which is freaking sexy, BTW-even the robot) and Captain Barbossa. And the smokey mist with Davy Jones on it...so so awesome.

Anyway, no post about POTC would be complete without mentioning my favorite- Will Turner. OMG! I was never a LOTR fan..he looked creepy and not remotely sexy. But as a pirate...shiver me timbers!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

I read this series because it was recommended to me by my editor. And I LOVED it!! It reminds me of my own writing and everything I love about books and stories and reading. They are funny, sad, dramatic, romantic, sassy...everything rolled into one book (or rather a 3-book series).

I had never read anything by Meg Cabot before, but I did love the Princess Diaries movies. I hadn't realized she wrote adult fiction until I was introduced to this series. And she hit the mark for me!!!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

As I said earlier in the challenge, once I started dating my husband, my music tastes somewhat changed. I still loved everything I loved before, but I started to like things I had never before liked. And another one of those bands was Smashing Pumpkins, and now they are one of my all time favs.

I think my favorite of all their songs is Bullets with Butterfly Wings. Just love it!! That whole album was just awesome.

Once me and hubby sang Disarm at karaoke. It went pretty well actually! LOL!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

On this 20th day of the A-Z Challenge, my O topic is..... O'Hara. As in, Scarlet :)

I adore Gone With The Wind...and would have liked to talk about it on G day...but I went with Gaga instead :) So we'll talk about it today. But I think it's a good O topic, since the family's name and heritage was such a huge part of who they were.

I remember hearing about this reeeeeeaaaalllllly long book when I was in college I think. Before that, I hand't really known much about GWTW. Why, I really have no clue. But somehow I heard about it and what it was about and it seemed interesting. And I liked the challenge of reading this insanely long book. So I borrowed it from my college's library. And read. And read. And read some more. It really did suck me right in and keep me hooked....though the war did go on kinda long and was kinda dragged out...but really...I guess that was true to how it really was. I remember bawling my eyes out at the end...so wanting the HEA for Rhett and Scarlet, but loving the book even without it.

Then I had to see the movie. I remember being home for the weekend or on break and renting it with my boyfriend (who I am now married too!) and laying together on my parent's couch for the 3 hours or whatever. And I loved that too. The sets and costumes, so gorgeous and amazing. The story I'd come to love had come to life. Though it did disappoint me somewhat....but obviously you can't include every part of a book that long in a movie...the thing was long enough as it was!

Fast forward a few years. Hubby and I were married and took a road trip to visit friends in Charlotte. And while we were there I came up with the brilliant idea to visit a bed and breakfast I'd read about- Inn Scarlet's Footsteps, just outside Atlanta. So we left Charlotte a day early and drove to Atlanta. We visited the Margaret Mitchell House, where she lived when she wrote GWTW and stayed at the gorgeous plantation house that had been transformed into a B&B. We ere int he Rhett room! So so amazing! As a native northerner, it really was a whole different world for us. I remember the owner exclaiming at breakfast in a very cheerful tone, "We're full of Yankees today!" There was a couple there from Ohio on their honeymoon and it completely amused me that the woman referred to us as Yankees!

And I did read the sequel to GWTW- Scarlet, and saw the movie. Not great, but not awful. I guess it gave fans the HEA they were craving and didn't really get originally.

Monday, April 16, 2012

I'm interrupting the A-Z Challenge (again) to host a really awesome guest blogger- Alison Stone!!!!! But PLEASE make sure you keep reading and check out today's Challenge post....I so enjoyed writing this one!!!!

A Sure Way to Fail

Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Stephanie!

I had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie about a year or so ago at our local chapter meeting. From the minute I met her, I knew I liked her. Then I started reading her blog and liked her even more. She shares her struggles and her excitement on her writing journey. As I writer, I can so relate. And how can you not like someone whose favorite movie is Dirty Dancing. Love, love, love that movie. I think it reminds me of my freshman year of college—a time of new adventure, new friends and a future bright.

Life has taken a lot of twists and turns since my freshman year in college—most of them good. Back then, I was an engineering major. Yes, I graduated and went on to work in various industries from pharmaceutical, to aeronautical and automotive. I had fantastic jobs if you measured them in terms of pay and benefits. However, I was never truly satisfied. After my second child was born, I started to think I’d like to become a full-time mom. After about six months of debating, I made the plunge. Fortunately, I was in a good position (read: my husband could support with us!) to make this decision. Eventually, I started to write, first children’s books then romantic suspense. During the first few years, I spent a lot of time questioning my new dreams. Me, a writer. Yeah right?

I don’t think I’m unique. Many people are dissatisfied with their jobs, yet they are fearful to make a change. Maybe they’re afraid their dreams are unrealistic. Maybe it’s not practical to up and quit, but maybe little by little, changes can be made. I love the quote:

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?— Robert Schuller

No one truly knows the outcome of any endeavor, but I know I wasted months—years maybe—asking myself why did I think I could be a writer? I’m not a writer. I’m a math person. Who was I kidding?

I wasted far more time questioning my abilities than just getting down to work. It was finally when I got to work that I found success. Did I think success was just going to fall into my lap? Sure, I had lots of rejection, but I learned a little more each step of the way.

Sixteen years after first getting the idea to write, ten years after joining Romance Writers of America, and five years after signing with my agent, I am finally going to be a published author. My first book, Random Acts, will be released on April 24, 2012. My second book, Too Close to Home will be released August 7, 2012. Finally putting aside my fear of failure, led to success.

I don’t know what the future holds and sometimes the doubts still creep in, but one thing I know for sure: I will absolutely NOT have success if I don’t work to achieve my goals. So, head down, hands on keyboard and keep plugging away.

Do you have a dream? Are you thinking about going back to college? Do you have a great idea for new business? How about applying for that new job?

Are you afraid to start taking steps toward it because you’re afraid to fail? What if you knew you couldn’t fail? I have a secret: You’re sure to fail, if you don’t take that first step.

Author Bio:

Alison Stone graduated with a degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech. After working in Corporate America for a number of years, she retired to raise her young family. Soon the writing bug bit. After years of conferences, critique groups and writing, Alison sold two manuscripts that will be released in 2012. She claims it was easier to earn her engineering degree. Random Acts is her debut novel. To learn more about Alison Stone please visit www.AlisonStone.com.

***Note from Stephanie- Please click one of the links for a blurb!!! For some bizarre reason, I can't get the excerpt to paste into the post :(

Of course I had my obsession when I was a kid...plastering my bedroom wall with every poster I could get my hands on. I sure helped keep Bop and TigerBeat magazines in business. But when they fizzled out...I was still a fan, but more in a nostalgic way. I followed my favorite guys, supporting solo careers through the late 90's and early 2000's. I voted every week for Joey when he was on Dancing With The Stars. I was even lucky enough to meet him when the DWTS tour came to my city in 2007.

Then, later 2007 or early 2008, I heard a bit of buzz about their website being updated. There was some music playing on it...something I'd never heard before...something new. Could it be? Oh yes! The guys had reunited with a new album and a tour. I was so there!!!

And they haven't stopped since. They are all older, and all but 1 are in their 40's, but hotter than ever. Seen them perform 7 times since the first reunion show in September of 08. And I can't wait til they tour again!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

M is for Musicals!!! I guess this post goes hand in hand with my C post..which was Chicago. I am such a sucker for a great musical..even if I'm watching it in my own home instead of a theater.

I remember my first time watching Grease on TV. My mom and dad let me stay up late to watch it. Love it! The music and dancing.....so so fun!! And what kid didn't love The Wizard of Oz?

Those were the movies/musicals that started my love, but now I love so many others too: Hairspray, Chicago, Wicked, even High School Musical! I recently saw the preview for the Rock of Ages movie and I sooooo wanna see that!!!

Friday, April 13, 2012

Yes.......I admit. I adore some kinda corny music. There isn't a boy band I didn't love (obsess over) at one time or another (just wait til Monday's post for N!) But I truly am a fan of pop music and let's face it, hot guys!!!

I remember when I first heard LFO's debut Summergirls. (circa 1999) Friends of ours told us we had to hear it...it was an awesome song about nothing. It came on the radio...and we loved it! I went right out and bought the cd. Loved every song. They toured and we saw them at a small club, then several other times at music festivals and what not. They always put on a great show! Then they dropped off the face of the earth.

In July 2009 I'd heard about a reunion and had to check into it. Yep! They were back together and touring...and again, playing a small club nearby! We were there, got there early, and were in the front row! I was even in one of the pics they took from stage and posted on their FB page!!

Hubby videoed them singing Summergirls...so so awesome!!

After the show they did meet n greet and I got their autographs and a pic taken with them. so so cool!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Today is day 11 and that's K! The first movie that popped into my head is a double pointer (That's a Scattergories reference, if you needed an explanation!)

Karate Kid!

We watched this movie at least a thousand times when we were kids. Me and my brothers imitated the moves--of course, on each other. We knew them all! You can't help but root for Daniel Larruso. Everybody loves an under dog! And I adored the love story, of course :)

Over all, great movie. I remember the sequel...but the 3rd one....can't remember if I ever saw it. And the one with the girl (her name is completely escaping me at the moment), never saw it. And I've yet to see the remake with Jaden Smith, but I'm sure it pales in comparison.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

It's day 10 and today's letter is J! For none other than Judy Blume!!!!

I ADORED Judy Blume books when I was a kid. I remember my foist copy of Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. I bought it for like a quarter at a used bookstore near my grandparent's house. It was old and ratty. I started reading it and when I came to the part where Margaret examines the feminine products in her bathroom, I was completely confused. The book was an original print run and there was no such thing as self-sticking maxi pads. There was this belt thingy I had never heard of. I was young at the time, maybe 11 or 12, and was still a kid, if you know what I mean. So I had zero personal experience with feminine products, other than what I saw under my own bathroom sink. But I figured it out and adored the book. I remember not being able to wait..the anticipation was too strong. I had to flip to the back and read if Margaret ever got her period. I was able to enjoy the rest of the book without the insane anxiety hanging over my head. Maybe I had my own anxiety...being the ONLY one in my class w/o it at the time! LOL!

Okay, I know. TMI.

Anyway, Judy Blume wrote some damn good books, including her adult books. I loved the Fudge series, which I bought my daughter for Christmas this past year. I still have all my copies too. Even my old Are You There God? It's Me Margaret...and a newer version I bought only a few years ago. Yeah...it's all changed and updated :(

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Yep. I bet everyone remembers the mid to late 90's and ALL the scary movies that came out. I had never ever been a fan of scary movies until then- I think Nightmare on Elm Street scarred me when I was little. So when all these new movies were coming out with actors my own age...actors I loved and wanted to see their movies....I gave them a shot.

So, yep, me and my hubby (fiancé at the time) went to se all the cheesy new horror movies being released. Scream. Scream 2. I Know What You Did Last Summer. I Know What You Did Last Summer 2. And they were't bad. I enjoyed them and all their corniness.

But of course, I had to keep lights on in my house at all times for many weeks after seeing them :)

Monday, April 9, 2012

Hip Hop music was such a huge part of my teen years...when, IMHO, was the best time for Hip Hop. (90's!!) So much of the music that emerged then is still played today...songs people know by heart and will never forget, even the younger generations!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

I absolutely love Lady Gaga!!!!! Can't really pin point the exact reason why. I love that she does outlandish creative things and is constantly giving the world something new to talk about. I love that she stands for something...she's not just some attention seeker. And talent....she oozes it. She is a pop singer and so often pop singers are ridiculed for their genre. But I love music that is fun and catchy and you can dance to it. And her stuff is edgy too...always pushing boundaries.

But sometimes she does go too far and sometimes her stunts distract from her real talent.

Friday, April 6, 2012

If you didn't stop by yesterday and sign up for Carrie Ann Ryan's awesome birthday giveaway, go there now and sign up!!! Winners will be announced tomorrow! And you'll wanna be in it!! I am giving away a $10 Amazon GC! But the grand prizes are a Kindle Touch and a $60 Amazon GC!! Sweet, right??? All you have to do is comment with your email address on yesterday's post!

Now on with he A-Z Challenge!

So today is day 6...that makes today F!

F is for Fairy Tales! Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of all things Disney! :) I love the parks most of all, but the parks are inspired by Disney movies. And so much of Disney is built on fairy tales and princesses and magic and happily ever afters!

I know some are appalled by the fairytales Disney produces, but I'm not. What's wrong with escaping every once in a while??? I think it's important for our kids to know fairy tales are not real life, but that it's okay to still like them and get lost in them.

Some of my favorite Disney fairy tales:

The Little Mermaid
Tangled
The Princess and the Frog
Beauty and the Beast

You have a favorite??

And remember, only those who comment on YESTERDAY'S post qualify for the giveaway!!!

Birthdays aren't a huge production for me and my husband, but it does include a special dinner where we get to pick the restaurant. The kids, though, we always go big, or at least as big as we can afford. We never spend much money, but we do get creative. It always includes a fun theme and a creative cake-. This year my daughter had a Hairspray the movie themed party and a tie-dye cake. My son had a Hot Wheels themed party with a race track cake.

In honor of Carrie Ann's birthday, I want to make it feel like it's your birthday! I'm giving away a $10 Amazon gift card!! :)

All you need to do is leave a comment below with your email address. Entries without an email address WILL NOT be included in the drawing :( Sorry! I need to be able to contact you if you win. For extra entries, follow my blog, Tweet or Facebook my post, or become a FB follower! :) Just tell me what you did in your comment!

AND everyone who enters my drawing will be entered into a GRAND PRIZE drawing for two prizes: a Kindle Touch and a $60 Amazon GC!!!!!!

All winners will be chosen and announced tomorrow, April 6th!

Here's a list of all the participants!! Make sure you hope around and enter all the giveaways! And every comment enters you for the grand prize drawing! (Scroll on to read today's A-Z Challenge post!!)

Many people do not know the difference between erotic romance and erotica. First of all, NEITHER is porn. From what I've read, in erotica, the main plot is not romantic and the sex between characters is not romantic..just sex...and very descriptive. In erotic romance, the characters at some point fall in love and live happily ever after...and throughout the book have awesome descriptive sex :)

I do not write either, (though my characters do engage in very steamy sex...it's not quite as descriptive as erotic romance) but have read my fair share of erotic romances!! :) And I have to say, I do very much like them! I can't read too many in a row though. Usually I will read one, then switch to a contemporary or YA. But after reading a YA, I sooooo crave something with some good sex!! LOL!